Adventure Nannies Blog

Leaders, Not Liars: The Nanny Code

 

 

 

 

 

Falsifying information on your nanny resume from work experience to references has always been considered unacceptable, and a sure-fire way to become blacklisted in the industry, and now this dangerous and unethical practice may actually become illegal.

 

You may have heard the extremely upsetting story of the troubled person who took the lives of her young nanny charges in New York City. From day one, Yoselyn Ortega was never the nanny she claimed to be, according to reports from CBS. When you embark upon a career in childcare there is an assumed code of ethics that is very similar to that of a pediatrician, a common passion for supporting and nurturing children, and a promise to never cause harm.

 

Kevin and Marina Krim (Lulu + Leo’s amazing, loving parents), testified in court that they hired Ortega as their nanny based on her sister’s claims that she had outside childcare experience, plus a glowing reference from a former employer. It was only after Ortega horrifically murdered Lulu and Leo Krim that the parents would learn all of that information was a complete lie.

 

 

 

 

As a reaction to this awful situation, the community around the Krim family has rallied to create new laws that would offer more legal protection for families who seek to hire someone to care for their most precious and vulnerable children. The law would make lying about your job experience in the childcare industry a felony crime. Yoselyn Ortega had never actually worked as a nanny and her “reference” was a fabricated recommendation written by her own niece.

“We also believe that parents and caregivers should be protected from people who would harm them with their evil and lies. We were deceived and betrayed by the defendant’s family, who remain wholly unaccountable for their role in the murders of our children,” Kevin Krim posted on Facebook.

Assemblyman Steve Otis is co-sponsoring “Lulu and Leo’s Law,” which he believes could have prevented their murders by discouraging Ortega’s family to lie about her. LuLu and Leo’s Law would make it illegal for people to give false references for nannies or babysitters. Someone who provides a fake reference could get locked up if the nanny commits a crime against the family he or she works for.

“This would not have been possible without a total fabrication of the background information of the caregiver in this case,” Assemblyman Otis said. “It’s unacceptable, and we have to do something about it.”

Steve Otis plans to introduce the bill this week and hopes Lulu and Leo’s Law will pass by the late summer session. State Sen. Andrew Lanza, of Staten Island, is also sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

 

 

 

 

Obtaining the necessary experience and qualifications to become a professional nanny takes commitment and time. Caring for the most vulnerable within our society is an incredible honor and a giant responsibility and there are no real shortcuts. To be successful, you must operate with a code of ethics that includes championing the children in your care, and doing everything in your power to keep them safe at all times.

We screen our nanny candidates so thoroughly that we are confident that any and all falsified information will be discovered, but beyond that, we would urge you to think about what’s at stake if you’re considering lying on your childcare resume. Not ‘only’ the safety of precious children and your career, but now potentially your physical freedom as well.

You may be wondering how you can get more professional childcare experience if you aren’t able to land a full-time nanny job, but we’ve got some good news for you! In addition to making sure the nuts and bolts of your resume are up to snuff, there are straightforward steps that you can take to increase your experience, round out your resume, and ultimately prepare you for that dream job. Check out our blog for specific posts that offer tips and course recommendations.

Marina and Kevin Krim have created the Lulu & Leo Fund, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire, heal and grow children through engagement with art, nature, and creativity.

 


 

What are some of the ways that you’ve developed your childcare resume? We’d love to hear your experiences and tips for other childcare professionals – reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, and check out the other posts on the blog!

Are you looking for an exceptional nanny or private educator? Get in touch!

Do you have what it takes to be an Adventure Nanny? Apply Now!

 

 

 

h/t Reporting from CBS

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